We stopped at Nin’s Bin yesterday. This restaurant is basically an old caravan on the edge of the sea, which offers crayfish (New Zealand Rock Lobster) and mussels. The staff claimed that the crayfish were caught “within the hour” and that the mussels, which were still alive, were from Malborough.

Nin’s Bin is a slice of Kiwiana. The business has been open since the 1960s, with the current girl working the kitchen being the great-granddaughter of the man who started the business.

Nin’s Bin

My plate of mussels in butter and garlic. I bought a dozen and got fourteen.

A boat for sale across the street from Nin’s Bin. A real weekend project!

Definitely worth a stop, if you are driving between Kaikoura and Blenheim!

For those in Christchurch and throughout Canterbury who have had more than enough of the aftershocks, the tourism operators in Hanmer Springs are offering discounts, including a discounted admission to the baths. My wife, son and I got in last night for ten bucks (usually something like thirty-five to forty bucks).

It was good to enjoy the baths and have a few hours – including hours of sleep – undisturbed by seismic activity.

If you want to book accommodation, tickets to the baths, discount meals, then go to http://hanmersprings.co.nz. I was advised that these discounted rates will be available throughout September, but check it out for yourself.

We all need time to heal and getting a few hours to refresh could be exactly what is needed.

Sitting in the baths with my son last night